Dove Real Beauty Sketches [PLEASE WATCH]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to share this lovely video from Dove about beauty and how we perceive it in others and ourselves.

Enjoy!

Check out my BLOG SALE!!!

BLOG SALE UPDATE!

Hey guys!

Tons of new polishes have been added to my BLOG SALE. Be sure to check it out!

xx. Cathy

BLOG SALE!!!

Hey guys,

I've decided to get rid of some of my nail polishes since i don't use them as much anymore. So i'm having a blog sale :D

Check it out HERE

 - Cathy

Spotted: Sinful Colors @ Priceline

Hi guys,

For those of you who follow Priceline on Twitter or Instagram, you may have seen their announcement that select Priceline stores are now carrying Sinful Colors polishes!

My local Priceline is pretty small but when i was in Sydney CBD today, i dropped by one of the Pricelines there and sure enough, i saw this:

Yep, and it's only $4.95 for a bottle! It's definitely a limited range but hey, i'm not complaining. I can't remember all the polishes but i'll list the ones i remember seeing in the display:

• I Miss You
• Kissy
• Queen of Beauty
• Hottie
• Love Nails
• Let's Talk
• Under 18
• Bali Mist
• Dancing Nails
• Tokyo Pearl
• Gorgeous
• You Just Wait
• Love Nails
• Fiji
• Let Me Go
• Rich in Heart
• Courtney Orange
• HD Nails
• San Francisco
• Timbleberry
• Nirvana
• Mint Apple
• Glass Pink
• Social Ladder

That's all i can remember/decipher from the photo. Let me know if you guys see this display in your Priceline and what you guys get!

 - Cathy

Life Update + Spotted: MeMeMe @ Terry White's Chemist

Hi guys!

Anyone still here? I'm sorry i haven't posted in a few months. I wanted to give you guys a little update on what's been happening since my last post.

I had a lot of exams for one and i sat my HSC exams which are basically entrance exams to university. I sat 7 exams over the course of one month and i finished on the 8th November. Since then i've been catching up on sleep, spending time with family and friends, job hunting, cleaning and reorganising my stuff (including makeup and polish!) and just getting settled again.

I can't guarantee anything but i do want to get back into the habit of blogging but i'm not sure if it will be as consistent as before. I'll try my best though!

Also, i spotted a very exciting display at my local Terry White's chemist while gift shopping. Speaking of which, Christmas is definitely my favourite time of year - i love the atmosphere, the decorations and of course, the fun of shopping for gifts for people and maybe snatching up a few deals for myself!

Anyway, i saw displays for MeMeMe cosmetics:

MeMeMe is a UK brand but they do have an Australian site too, and the prices on the site are the same as the ones in store. Apparently there are some stockists of MeMeMe cosmetics but this is the first time i've seen them.

The range is a bit pricey but i am really curious to try out the Boho Balms,  and their boxed blushes and highlighters (a la Benefit?). If you guys are familiar with Gossmakeupartist on youtube, he has done videos comparing the blushes and highlighters of MeMeMe vs. Benefit and a lot of reviews online do consider them very similar.

Let me know if you guys have tried MeMeMe cosmetics and what you think. I'm definitely interested in the blushes, highlighters and boho balms but i've put myself on a ban on cheek products since i'm trying to downsize my excessive collection.

Hope to talk to you guys soon!

xoxo Cathy

August Favourites!

It's finally September!

I graduate in less than 3 weeks and i cannot wait! This month was a really busy month for me so i don't have many favourites to show you guys, but most of them are makeup products, which are always fun.

Harmony Home Spa - Ultrasonic Facial Cleansing System

Now this looks familiar doesn't it? It's a 'dupe' of the much-raved about Clarisonic Mia! In the beginning of August, i had terrible skin caused by a bad diet, poor sleep, lack of exercise and general stress. I had breakouts all over my forehead and redness around my nose. I finally decided to buy this cleansing brush for $99 at Priceline. It comes with a charger, a stand and a replacement brush head. The brush has two settings - high and low; i used low setting for the first week and am now using it on the high setting. I use this every night in the shower with my Sukin cleanser and my skin has improved dramatically. My breakouts have cleared up, acne scars have faded, my skin looks so much healthier and radiant in general!

I can't compare it to the Clarisonic since i don't own it and have never tried it myself, but in terms of a deep clean, this brush system from Harmony Home Spa does a fantastic job!

Revlon ColorStay Makeup Combination/Oily - 180 Sand Beige

I'll be honest: when i first bought this, i hated it. I was really disappointed i'd spent almost $40 on this foundation - i thought it smelled like paint, it didn't match me, i hated how it felt on my skin, i hated how it sat on my skin and i didn't find it looked particularly good on me either and it didn't control any of my oil on my t-zone.

I decided to give it another go this month and i'm super glad i did. Instead of using a brush, as i had before, and instead of using it all over my face, i used a tiny amount on my fingers and blend it into areas only where i need it (mainly the centre of my face and my forehead).

Although the Revlon foundations run a little too pink/neutral on me, i find that using a tiny amount is okay on my pale skin. I set it with my Australis powder and it keeps my face matte pretty much all day. I'm so glad i gave this another try! I absolutely love it! $34.95 at Priceline.

Jordana Blush Powder - 32 Rose Silk

I got this blush from Paddy's Market as i mentioned in my haul post a while back. I don't think Jordana is available in Australia, otherwise. I really love this blush and literally used it every single day this month. This blush is super pigmented, super blendable and it's a gorgeous, matte, natural mauve-pink colour. I haven't tried any other products from Jordana but i know they're really inexpensive and i'll definitely be trying more of their products next time i'm at Paddy's! 

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer - 60 Brightener

After all the hype about these concealers, i bought the Brightener for a discounted price (around $14; RRP $18.95) from Priceline. The Brightener is a very pink-salmon-toned concealer designed to brighten up the undereye area. Despite the fact that it's a little pricey for just 6mL of product, and though the sponge applicator is a little gimmicky, i find it feels nice when applying and the concealer works wonderfully! It's creamy, blendable, brightening and lasts a long time!

Covergirl Lash Perfection mascara - Very Black

This is the first Covergirl mascara i've tried and i'm very pleased with it. It claims to be a volumising mascara but i don't really find that the case. It's definitely great for definition and length and it does give SOME volume but not enough to be labelled as 'volumising'. It gives a natural, flirty, lash effect and doesn't smudge despite my terrible oily lids. $14.95 from Priceline.

Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Curl mascara (NOT SHOWN)

This is another mascara i fell in love with this month and i was using it before the Covergirl one. Out of the two, i'd say i prefer the Bourjois one because it gives a little more volume but then again, it also has a higher price point. I finished the mascara and threw out the tube which is why it's not in the photo, but this is definitely a huge favourite for August! RRP $20 from Priceline.

Let me know your August favourites!

 - Cathy

Spotted: Sally Hansen, Models Prefer, Max Factor, Revlon & Batiste!

Hey guys,

Long time no blog, eh?

I finally have a short break now because i've submitted my major project and graduation is only 22 days away! I can't even believe it!

Anyway, i haven't been out and about in a while so this 'Spotted' post is kind of long, so bear with me. There are a lot of new exciting releases these days - i can barely keep up!

Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Treatments:

Includes a Smooth & Strong Base Coat, Ultra-Wear Top Coat (both $16.95) and a Cuticle Eraser + Balm ($14.95)

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Polishes:

8 fun magnetic nail colors (magnetic polishes seem to be the newest trend in Australia) from Sally Hansen - $16.95 each!

Models Prefer Brushes:

Models Prefer has released a new range of brushes - 3 face and 3 eye: foundation brush ($19.99), airbrush ($19.99), angled blush brush ($16.99), concealer brush ($12.99), round smudge brush ($14.99) and eyeshadow brush ($12.99).

I'm really loving the fun colours of these and i'm interested in the blush brush - have any of you tried these? let me know!

Max Factor Glossfinity and Mini Nail Polishes:

I've never really kept up with releases from Max Factor - the only thing i've ever tried from them is their False Lash Effect Mascara (which i adore!), but they seem to have quite a few new polishes out....

The Glossfinity ones are $11.95 and the Minis are $5.95.

AND LOOK! It's the highly coveted FANTASY FIRE!!! Run, don't walk, ladies!

Revlon 2012 Spring Collection ESCAPISM:

The new Revlon Spring collection has finally hit Australian shores and i for one am super excited for those cream blushes!

Revlon ColorStay Smoky Shadow Sticks:

Is it just me, or is Revlon really speeding up with their releases to Australia? These shadow sticks are still relatively new to US drugstores as far as i'm concerned yet they're already here in Australia for $17.95

Revlon Age Defying DNA Advantage Concealer:

Kind of a random one, but i spotted this new Revlon concealer at Target too

Batiste Dry Shampoos:

I personally use Batiste Dry Shampoos and these new ones with fun packaging caught my eye. There are three: Big & Bouncy XXL Volume ($12.99), Proud & True BRIT ($9.99) and Sassy & Daring WILD ($9.99). These new shampoos are 120g each which is significantly bigger than the usual 90g but are still the same low cost for $9.99 - except the XXL one, which is $3 more expensive, though i'm not sure why...

Let me know if you guys have tried any of these new products!

 - Cathy

Products I Regret Buying

Hey everyone,

I thought i'd show you guys some products that i've purchased in the past that i have since regretted buying. Now before we start, these products are not necessarily bad products, they may just be products i bought for an unreasonable price, at the wrong time or for the wrong reason.

I don't have very many because i generally give away polishes and makeup that don't work for me and i research my products online before buying them. But yeah, here they are:

Nivea Creme Tin

I originally bought this to serve as a a really moisturising hand cream but i've found this product is just too greasy for that, and the smell of the product is a bit too much for me - it's the strong scent of baby powder and flowers. I will attempt to use it up as moisturiser on drier parts of my legs but i kind of wish i hadn't bought it seeing as i don't have a use for it now. $4.99 from Priceline

Models Prefer Bronzer - 'Sunkissed'

I bought this when i was first experimenting with makeup and i really wish i'd done more research or  shopped around a bit first. This bronzer is way too dark for me, even for contouring - i have no idea what i was thinking. The powder itself is also very grainy and not finely milled which makes blending it out a lot harder. I haven't used this in months so i probably will end up throwing it out. At least it was kind of cheap - $9.99

Diva Strawberry Kisses 'Lovebalm' Lip Balm

I got this from the Diva accessories store and i'm not too sure why. I had spent a while browsing the store and the saleslady had been really nice and helpful and i bought a few jewellery pieces that day. She just recommended it to me as they sat on the counter and she was so sweet i couldn't say no. I'm such a sucker. This lip balm looks bright pink but it goes on almost clear with just a hint of pink. It smells like strawberry gummy lollies and the packaging is super adorable but i wish i hadn't purchased it because i have enough lip balms already and this one just isn't that great for moisturising.

LUSH Chocolate Whipstick Lip Balm

I hate things in tubs - moisturisers, lip balm, hair products...i hate having to stick my finger into a tub/container to scoop out product and getting my fingers dirty. Having said that, i'm not sure why i bought this..i think it was just when i'd first discovered LUSH and i went a bit crazy trying everything. It's a great lip balm since it does moisturiser really nicely and it smells a bit like chocolate but again, i have too many lip balms and this was $9.95 which is too expensive for a product that is just too much of a hassle for me.

Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil - 071 Pure White

Another product i bought when i was first experimenting with makeup and i hadn't done much research on this either. I bought it to line my waterline but this pencil is just too chalky and not creamy enough to be used on the waterline. I know Essence makes great soft, creamy liners and i really wish i'd tried them first. $8.50

Toni&Guy Firm Hold Hairspray

I actually bought two of these - both of which i regret - because i needed a really strong hairspray one day (i don't remember why) and i picked up two (still don't know why) of the travel minis. This hairspray is really good at holding hair in place but i regret buying two because i don't think i'll get through them both and the smell is just awful. This hairspray has a very strong chemical smell which i cannot stand, and it does leave my hair feeling hard and tacky, so i only use this before i play tennis. 

Let me know if you guys have used any of these products and which products you guys regret! I'd love to hear them :)

 - Cathy